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I never realized the importance of stopping to smell the roses. Personally I never cared for flowers so the phrase was always a little lost on me. I was
so busy that I thought I might miss something if I slowed down. The phrase ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead’ was much more fitting for me. When I left the
corporate world, I went from 100mph to 0 and I got some serious whiplash! It took me a few months to recover and then I began to explore the myth behind
this ‘slow down’ movement.

Here’s what I found:

Digital detox is good for the soul.

With so much information being sent to us in emails, social media, text, phones, meetings, etc we often feel like we are treading water with our heads
barely afloat. Taking just 10 minutes to unplug from any internet/phone source can do wonders for your overall productivity. Use that time to sit quietly
and focus on taking long, slow breaths. Or for those of you who just need to switch gears and declutter, clear out some old piles of paperwork, catch
up on a few self-improvement or professional development articles. If it’s in the evening, definitely enjoy some quality time with your family. Even
better schedule a digital free night for the entire family and enjoy a relaxed meal and maybe a few card games. (UNO anyone?!!) The first time I turned
off my phone I felt so guilty and couldn’t resist picking it up every few minutes until I finally put it face down on my bedside table and went on
about my night. And guess what? When I turned on the phone the next morning, there was no major crisis and all of those emails and to-dos were still
waiting on me. However, the biggest change was my renewed sense of energy and a few new ideas to boot. Sometimes the best way to solve some of the
big work problems is by unplugging and turning your attention to something completely unrelated. Trust me, you will feel a renewed sense of purpose
and will likely have a multitude of solutions ready to implement.

Enjoy a meal with family and friends.

I love to cook so for me there is no greater way to express love than my preparing a meal for my family or friends. I take great joy in the entire experience
from researching the meal, to food shopping, cooking and then serving the meal. The best part if watching everyone else enjoy it as well. Even if you’re
not a cook, it’s important to dedicate time to spend with your family and friends and what better way to do that than over a meal. There are so many
‘take and bake’ options at stores today or you can splurge and dine out if it’s in your budget. The main thing is to take the time and just do it.
Some of the best memories come from sharing a meal with those you love.

Just Breathe.

Breathing is a vital part of our existence. Without it, well, we’d be dead! One of my favorite songs is ‘Breathe Me’ by Sia and every time I listen to
it, I’m reminded of the importance of breathing…inhaling life & energy and letting go of the negativity. Regardless of your busyness every
has to breathe so the next time you find yourself getting stressed out, take a minute and just breathe. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your mind and
body will shift to a calmer place. There is even medical research to substantiate deep breathing benefits for lowering blood pressure and heart rates
which in turn activates the parasympathetic nervous system which acts like a brake in a car to slow your body’s responses back to a normal resting
state.

These tips may sound crazy especially if you're moving at 100mph but trust me, once you try them you'll wonder why you didn't start sooner. Even if you’re
not a fan of roses you can still enjoy the effects of the slow down. And if you’re like me you’ll find a new appreciation for those flowers and so
much more in life!!

Why does it take a tragedy to make us truly slow down and enjoy life? My stepmom passed away unexpectedly last week and time stopped for a few days while
family gathered around to comfort each other and reflect on our childhood and all of the memories we had of my stepmom. One of the men officiating
her funeral made the comment that we all need to slow down, not when tragedy strikes, but in everyday life. Our society has begun to glorify ‘busyness’
for some strange reason as if there is some mysterious prize for being the busiest person. I can guarantee in your final moments of life that you are
not wishing that you had been busier. In fact, I’ve heard many people speak of those final moments with loved ones and they all say they wished they
would have slowed down and enjoyed life more. More than anything my stepmom’s passing has made me realize how precious life truly is and I want to
make every moment count and ensure that all of my interactions with people are sincere and positive. My stepmom was full of life and believed earnestly
that life was meant to be celebrated. So today and every day I will honor her legacy by slowing down and enjoying life to the fullest. Rest in peace,
BigKim. Know you are loved and missed.

Who's in the mood for love this month? I’ve created 28 Daily Tips for the month of February to celebrate the most important person in your life…YOU!
Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is critical for keeping yourself mentally and physically at your best. Women, in particular, are the
worst at putting themselves first since we are natural caretakers and tend to take care of everyone else first ignoring our own needs. And then you
hit that brick wall and are so exhausted that you are forced to slow down. That’s why it is critical to take time for yourself even if you have to
schedule it. Think ME first, Busy second!! That should be your daily mantra to help program your brain into putting
yourself first.

Here’s my February Love-Me List:

#1: Hit snooze on a work day - Sometimes starting your day off with a few extra minutes of sleep is a treat!

#2: Sit down for breakfast - With the ‘busyness’ of life, it’s ok to occasionally sit down and enjoy a meal in peace

#3: Go for a walk – I’m a big fan of gratitude walks because it’s so refreshing to think about all of the good things in your life

#4: Read that guilty pleasure book you bought six months ago

#5: Take a bubble bath

#6: Get a massage

#7: Watch your favorite movie

#8: Cook your favorite meal (Or have someone cook it for you or go out if your budget allows)

#9: Indulge in your favorite dessert

#10: Plan a girls night out – Friends are the family we choose for ourselves